We spoke with ESPN’s Lou Holtz this morning, and just as you might suspect it was an entertaining few minutes.

“Dr. Lou’’ wanted to talk about OSU senior WR Taylor Kavanaugh, who was named to the 2009 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works team for his public service endeavors off the field.

ESPN's Lou Holtz said college football needs more players like OSU's Taylor Kavanaugh, who is on this season's American Football Coaches Association "Good Works'' teamI told Holtz, who also happens to be an author, motivational speaker, and former Hall of Fame coach, that Kavanaugh is also a pretty damn good writer – judging from his OSU diary that appears each week on OregonLive.com.

“That doesn’t surprise me a bit,’’ said the 72-year-old Holtz, whose jousting with on-air partners Rece Davis and Mark “It’s the Coach’s fault’’ May provide entertainment for millions. (does that sentence get me an ESPN hat?)

Kavanaugh, whose little brother Connor will be starting at QB for Portland State this week, has been the Beavers’ holder for three seasons and one of its most valuable players on scout and special teams. … the annual “Lunch Bucket’’ award winner finally got a scholarship this year, too.

OSU coach Mike Riley has raved often about Kavanaugh’s work ethic and the qualities he brings that exemplify the OSU program.

Holtz, from long distance, can read between the lines and figure out that Kav is a special young man.

“I’ve never met Taylor Kavanaugh,’’ said Holtz, “but I can already tell you he’s the kind of player I would have wanted on my team.’’

Kavanaugh, as we have noted in previous entries, has helped build houses for the homeless in South America, worked with Boys and Girls clubs, volunteered as Santa Claus and delivered gifts to the less fortunate, and been a part of the Read Across America program in elementary schools.

“So many times, you read negative things about players. But there are so many other players who do a lot of great things that you never read about,’’ said Holtz.

“Allstate started this program 18 years ago to honor college players who are not only good athletes and good students but really make a difference in other places.

“I can tell you that when Taylor puts this (honor) on his resume it’s going to be a lot more important than covering the onside kick that helped seal a victory against USC in 2008.’’

(Lou must have been reading from a script on that one)

Holtz said he didn’t have nearly enough Taylor Kavanaugh-type players during his time in coaching, which included a stint at Notre Dame, and when he got them, he appreciated them.

“Absolutely,’’ said Holtz. “Guys like Taylor are a positive influence in the dressing room. They encourage their teammates. They get things done. And that is going to make them a success in life.’’

Holtz said the folks at the Mother Ship in Bristol (ESPN HQ) know all about Mike Riley’s OSU team, partially because of Riley’s reputation and partially because of the Rodgers brothers.

“I have great respect for the Pac-10, I’m a fan of the Pac-10,’’ added Holtz. “And the one main reason is, when (college football) added a 12th game and everybody else was scheduling a directional school the Pac-10 was going with three non-conference games and nine conference games. … everybody plays each other.’’

Holtz mentioned Jacquizz Rodgers, and said what Oregon State did to his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish in two bowl games left a big impression.

Holtz said he “really became aware’’ of Oregon State when he met the late Dee Andros in the 1960s.

At the time, Holtz was an assistant coach at William & Mary.

“I was the backfield coach there when we were playing Syracuse and Army and Navy and I met (Andros) at a coaches’ convention,’’ said Holtz.

“In those days, the coaching profession was different. … when somebody asked you a question (at a convention) you tried to help them. Nobody ever asked me any questions, but you’d see people sitting around having a drink and you would go over and talk to them.’’

I would have paid to sit and listen to Lou Holtz and Dee Andros at the same table.

I told Holtz I enjoyed his “Dr. Lou’’ segments.

“I have to write all that stuff myself, and I don’t have a teleprompter or a script to make it more interesting,’’ said Holtz.

“I try to make it humorous. I also try to have a small message in there.’’

Holtz enjoys his banter with May, the former Pitt and NFL player who seems to delight in skewering Holtz's Domers.

“He looks at everything as a player, and I look at it as a coach, but we’re great friends off-set,’’ said Holtz.

“He’s a class guy, and very professional, but damn, every time he talks it's the coaches' fault.’’